Late Run Not Enough as Cavaliers Lose to Pelicans

Photo from: Layne Murdoch NBAE/Getty

After playing four games in five nights, the Cleveland Cavaliers ran out of gas in New Orleans, falling to the Pelicans 119-114.

The Pelicans were able to control the game for much of the night but a late comeback from the Cavaliers almost flipped the script.

The game was close for much of the first half but in the second half, New Orleans started asserting their dominance.  Ryan Anderson and Tyreke Evans provided the sparks for the Pellies, with Anderson stepped up big time in Anthony Davis' place, who left tha game after playing only 7 minutes.

Anderson scored 30 points on 8-14 3-point shooting and Tyreke Evans added 31 points and 10 assists.

The Pelicans held a 25 point lead halfway through fourth quarter, but the Cavs mounted a comeback, cutting the New Orleans lead to just 9 with four minutes left.  

The Cavaliers had trouble getting much out of anyone except LeBron James, who scored 41 points.  Kyrie Irving had an off night shooting, going only 2-13 from the field, but came on strong in the fourth quarter.  

Irving finished the game with 15 points and seven assists, but on 6-18 shooting.  

Defensively, this one one of the worst games the Cavaliers have had in a while.  The Pelicans shot 55.7 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Three Things:

1. What Injuries?

Multiple Cavaliers may have had injuries recently, but you couldn't have guessed that tonight.  LeBron missed the previous game against the Oklahoma City Thunder but was on fire from the get go, with 25 points in 19 first-half minutes.  Kyrie Irving played 00 minutes following his injury scare on Thursday.  Matthew Dellavedova, who missed 14 games, has been back for four games now and shows no lingering signs of the knee injury that forced him to miss over a month of games.  Health is key in the NBA, especially early in the season for a team that is still trying to figure out how to play together.  Dion Waiters' left the game in the third and was transferred to the hospital, so hopefully that isn't too serious.

2. Kevin Love Has Officially Found His Groove

After a slow start to the season, Kevin Love is now fully integrated into the Cavalier offense.  Love now has a double-double in six of the Cavs' last eight games and has averaged 19.5 points and 11.4 rebounds over that span.  Ever since Love suggested that the Cavaliers tweak the offense to get him more touches in the paint, Love's game has become much more balanced.  Kyrie had an off night tonight and it's reassuring to know that whenever someone doesn't have a great game, Love is now in the position to fill those voids.

3. Make Sure Bad Defense Doesn't Carry Over

Before tonight, the Cavaliers defense had been one of the best in the league over the past 10 games.  Well, that changed.  The Pelicans scored 64 points in the first half, the most scored against the Cavs in a first half this season.  And, most of those points were scored without Anthony Davis playing.  The Cavs have played four games in five nights, so a little fatigue is understandable.  However, it is important that the Cavaliers don't fall back into the bad habits they had to start the season.

Statline of the Night

Ryan Anderson: 30 points, 8-14 3-pts, 4 rebounds

With all due respect to Tyreke Evans, who double-doubled with 31 points and 10 assists, Anderson stepped up big-time in the absence of Anthony Davis.  Anderson played 41 minutes and filled in as well as the Pelicans could have hoped.


What's Next:

Dec. 15, at home against the Charlotte Hornets, 7 p.m.